Scoliosis caused by rib fusion following thoracotomy for tracheoesophageal fistula: case report.

Scoliosis as a late complication of thoracotomy has been described previously, but reports are rare. We present the case of a 22-year-old female referred for symptomatic scoliosis. Radiographs demonstrated a severe, structural, upper-thoracic scoliosis with associated right-sided rib fusions. Her medical history was noteworthy for a right posterolateral thoracotomy for repair of a tracheoesophageal fistula during infancy. Radiographs from her general surgical treatments during infancy demonstrated no congenital rib or vertebral anomalies. This report reviews her case in detail as well as the scarce literature available regarding scoliosis secondary to thoracotomy at a young age.